MERSEYSIDE may lose police officers after Chief Constable Norman Bettison failed to get the cash injection he wanted for the next 12 months.

MERSEYSIDE may lose police officers after Chief Constable Norman Bettison failed to get the cash injection he wanted for the next 12 months.

Mr Bettison went to the Merseyside Police Authority yesterday hoping for as much as 12.38% more on his budget.

Instead the authority agreed an increase of 7.15%.

It was the lowest of three options put forward by Mr Bettison at a meeting last night (Thursday, February 14).

Mr Bettison has already said that he feared this lowest option could lead to a reduction in front-line policing.

This is despite a 4.9% increase in government funding for Merseyside Police.

But Mr Bettison claims this increase does not even allow his force to "stand still."

He added: "Although a 4.9% rise seems rosy, after pay and pension rises and the Police Reform agenda is costed, the settlement does not allow us to even stand still."

He has, however, reassured the people of Merseyside that there will be no cuts to front-line services and extra cash to fight paedophiles, organised crime, anti-social behaviour and dealing with asylum seekers will still be available.

In addition to this, an extra 12 full-time officers will be provided and a further 65 released from backroom support services to return to the beat.

Merseyside Police refused to make any further comment today.

The setting of the police precept comes just hours after most councils across Merseyside revealed that they are proposing above inflation increases in taxes for the next year.

Liverpool has partly blamed its first rise for five years on the police precept claiming it can no longer fund these "high costs."

Merseyside Fire Authority is due to set its precept on Monday before councils across Merseyside finalise the taxes which residents will pay during the next month.

Wirral is looking at the highest increase on Merseyside with a 7% hike in bills. This follows bills being frozen last year.

Knowsley is proposing a 3.5% increase and Sefton a 3% rise.

The police precept increase means an average Band D council taxpayer will now pay #101.54 for police services in the next year. This is the equivalent of a #6.78 or 13p per week increase.